When the Going Gets Weird, The Weird Turn Pro

So long Dr. Gonzo, and thanks for the ride.

I was first introduced to Hunter S. Thompson, as most of us who grew in the 70's and 80's, though his literary masterpiece "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (illustrations by the brilliant Ralph Steadman) - FNL is book that captivated me in my late teens. My friends and I certainly had our fair share of Gonzo moments back in the day. My well worn paperback copy, missing it's cover, sits right here on my shelf.

While Johnny Depp did a fantastic job in the film version of FNL, delving into the darker side of HST, my favorite semi biographical movie is "Where the Buffalo Roam" starring Bill Murray as HST and Peter Boyle as Carl Lazlo, Esq. (a.k.a. Oscar Zeta Ascota). Loosely based on "The Great Shark Hunt" and filmed in 1980 it's a little crude and rough, but it's brilliant. Bill Murray and Peter Boyle are at the top of their game, capturing the truly insane, fun, over the top, grab life by the balls and run, spirit that first captivated in me, and the writing is pure Gonzo (interviewing Richard Nixon at the urinal... classic.) The film closes with HST at his Colorado compound, pacing around with a pistol and a bottle of Wild Turkey. I think I'm going to have to dig out the tape and watch it again.